CHIPS Articles: Army looking for technically inclined Soldiers to apply for network operations program

Army looking for technically inclined Soldiers to apply for network operations program

Interested in becoming an Army cyber Soldier or civilian employee?

By Army Cyber Command
-
August 22, 2017

There's still time for technically inclined Soldiers to apply for the Army's Computer Network Operations Development Program class of 2021. The CNODP offers an opportunity to develop skills in system design, vulnerability analysis and network exploitation and defense, and help to defend military networks.

The program, expected to begin in July 2018, involves a technically demanding three-year tour at Fort Meade, Maryland, followed by a three-year tour in a position that puts the skills learned to work.

Soldiers from any Army branch may apply. Commissioned officer applicants must be in the grades of O4 and below, while qualified enlisted Soldiers and warrant officers of all grades are eligible.

Candidates must also have:

-- a full Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmentalized Information (TS/SCI) security clearance and a current Counterintelligence (CI) polygraph before starting the program.
-- a bachelor's degree plus advanced courses or equivalent experience in computer engineering, computer science, electronic and electrical engineering or applied mathematics.
-- exceptional academic performance and professional accomplishments.
-- demonstrated interest in, and ability to perform, hands-on technical-oriented work.
-- well-developed oral and written communication skills.
-- working knowledge in one or more telecommunications or computer network disciplines such as computer hardware, software or networks.

Selection will be based on a review of each candidate's application packet and an interview with the National Security Agency (NSA) CNODP selection board. The application packet includes military service records; school transcripts; letters of recommendation from the applicant's commander and
supervisor; an optional letter of recommendation at the applicant's discretion; and a letter from the applicant describing his or her goals, core field expertise, teaming, technical experience, and self-directed work.

Deadline for applications is Sept. 25, 2017. Applicants will be notified by October 13 whether their application will be forwarded to the NSA selection board, and notifications of acceptance into the CNODP class is expected to be made by in the March 2018 time frame.

Full details on applying for the program and points of contact to get more information are available in Military Personnel message 17-256, available online at https://www.hrc.army.mil/Milper/17-256 (DoD CAC is required for access).

United States Army Cyber Command directs and conducts integrated electronic warfare, information and cyberspace operations as authorized, or directed, to ensure freedom of action in and through cyberspace and the information environment, and to deny the same to our adversaries.

Interested in becoming an Army cyber Soldier or civilian employee? Check out the career links at www.arcyber.army.mil .

The Army is looking for technically inclined Soldiers to apply for the Computer Network Operations Development Program class of 2021, an opportunity to develop skills in system design, vulnerability analysis and network exploitation and defense, and help to defend military networks. Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo

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